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P&R 09-19-02 APPROVED PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION CITY OF CUPERTINO SPECIAL MEETING THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2002 CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Peng called the regular meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission to order at 12:10 p.m. ROLL CALL Commissioners present: Rod Brown, Frank Jelinch, Roger Peng, Kris Wang Commissioners absent: Jeanne Bradford Staff present: Therese Ambrosi Smith, Director; Marie Preston, Administrative Secretary; Don McCarthy, Christine Hanel, Mike O'Dowd, Tom Walters, Recreation Supervisors Others present: Orrin Mahoney, Chair, 4th of July Committee COMMUNICATIONS NOT ON THE AGENDA - None UNFINISHED BUSINESS 1. Minute Order Related to the Stevens Creek Trail Feasibility Report: Commissioner Brown recused himself. At the September 5 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting, the commission had indicated they wanted to send additional communication to the City Council in the form of a Minute Order as the Planning Commission had done. The Commission reviewed the draft Minute Order. Recommended changes to the draft were: change compromises to comprises, hundreds of hours of meetings to acknowledgement of 25 meetings, and add that the environmental reviews of Study Areas B, C, and D will be done following the completion of Study Area A. ACTION: A motion was made, seconded, and unanimously passed to accept the draft Minute Order with changes as noted. 4th of July: Therese introduced Orrin Mahoney and Parks and Recreation supervisors who are involved in the 4th of July event in various capacities. Per the commission request to re-look at alternative ways to have fireworks next year, Therese introduced a proposal that could guarantee fireworks in the coming years. Don McCarthy outlined a proposed budget that has a 10 to 15 percent savings from what was spent in 2002. He explained that two school sites, Monta Vista and Cupertino High Schools, were investigated with a citywide block-party concept with detonation of fireworks from both high schools simultaneously. Neighborhoods would enjoy the fireworks from their blocks. Laura Demondon Lee, who is responsible for getting block leader captains, would enlist 40 or more block leaders to work with the city to organize activities during the day and evening on the 4th of July. The city would also publicize, via the Scene, that there Parks and Recreation Commission September 19, 2002 Page 2 of 3 would be no fireworks at De Anza College due to new construction. Other than block parties, there would be no other provisions made for spectators. The cost to detonate at each school site would be about $15,000 for each site. Therese explained that by having east and west side detonations, more people would see the fireworks. The program will be as good in quality as when it was at De Anza College. School sites would have to be secured to close the sites off from citizens. Therese further reported that two meetings will be set up one with Public Works, Sheriff, Fire Department regarding public safety, and the other with Public Works, Block Leader Program manager, regarding getting the word out via block parties on the 4th. Once these meetings happen, a plan with a budget will be given to City Council to get approval of the proposal. There will also be a public information campaign to get the word out to other regions that there will be no fireworks at De Anza College. Through the block leaders and the Cupertino Scene, the community will be informed that there will be an alternative fireworks event. Don explained that having fireworks at two locations without spectators (3" shells with a maximum height attainable is 300 feet, and possibly 4" shells with a maximum height attainable of 400 feet) would still provide a quality recreational event. He also stated that there are many logistical issues that would need to be ironed out: security, safety, street closures, parking, and publicizing to name a few. The question of how much of the fireworks will be seen by the residems was asked. Therese said that part of that answer would be in what the Fire Department will allow to be detonated. It was decided that a balloon or helicopter might be used to help measure the possible view for residents. Commission Comments Conunissioner Jelinch liked the idea and also expressed concern that the noise and excessive parking may upset neighborhoods. He would like staff to look into this and see if there are any city codes regulating noise. · Commissioner Brown stated that based on his own experience, low-level fireworks at De Anza were difficult to see from his residence, which is on the west side of town. H.: supports the idea of testing the potential view of residents. Regarding using block captains, he would like to know what percentage of the neighbors is covered. · Commissioner Wang felt the new event idea is a great plan and much better than not having fireworks, and believes the concerns can be effectively addressed. She also stated that the city could makes suggestions of places to view the fireworks, instead of designating viewing spots. · Commissioner Peng believes that the idea is very creative and upholds the spirit of July 4. He added the idea of the Sheriff interfacing with block leaders to encourage people to go to some ideal spots to view the fireworks and to let them know they don't have to stay in their neighborhoods for this event--they can move around. Also, block leaders can predetermine, with assistance, the best place in their neighborhood to view the show. Parks and Recreation Commission September 19, 2002 Page 3 of 3 Public Comments · Bob Levy, who lives near Monta Vista High School, was concerned with increased traffic. He asked that staff contact (T-SAC) the tri-school committee who is concerned with parking and traffic in the Monta Vista/Kennedy/Lincoln schools area. He recommended helping traffic control by having block parties that close off streets from McClellan to Bubb: Santa Teresa, Hyannisport, Linda Vista, and Presidio. He is also concerned about residual smoke coming down on top of homes around the schools areas and possibly irritating people's allergies. Therese stated that following a meeting with the fire department, sheriff, and public works, staff will know if this plan is feasible. If it all falls into place, neighbors adjacent to detonation areas will be notified to give comments. ACTION: A motion was made, seconded, and unanimously accept the new plan for 4th of July and to proceed to investigate the logistics of the plan. MISCELLANEOUS - NO ACTION REQUIRED Community Contacts: · Commissioner Wang reported that a group of people who have been doing Kung Fu at Jollyman for years would like to have the bathrooms opened earlier in the a.m., the sprinklers retimed so that the grass won't be so wet and would like to have some kind of covered area whereby they can do their work-out. Therese stated that she would have Public Works contacted about retiming the sprinklers, see ifa key can be given to the group to allow entrance into the bathrooms, and the covering will have to be placed in the next year's budget for consideration. · Commissioner Peng reminded everyone that the Moon Festival at Memorial Park was this weekend. ADJOURNMENT Chairperson Peng adjourned the meeting. Respectfully submitted, Televised commission meetings may be viewed live on Cable Channel 26, and may also be viewed live or on demand at www. cur)ertino, org <http://www. cupertino, org>. Videotapes of the televised meetings are available at the Cupertino Library, or may be purchased from the Cupertino City Channel, 777-2364. Approved at the November 7, 2002, regular meeting.